Obama should take cues from Truman
In a recent column, David Broder comments in his most I-told-you-so manner on the metamorphosis of candidate Obama to Commander in Chief Obama. His message seems to be that President Barack Obama has shed his peacenik candidate image at last.

Now America can get back to the business of perpetual war. The American empire abroad, militarism at home, and the Bush (now Obama) wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will persist. The Pentagon has a friend in the White House and enough present and potential enemies to justify its bountiful budget for at least another four years.

Broder seems to believe that a new president must pass muster and be ratified as commander in chief by the military establishment before assuming his rightful position as president. Judging by his schedule since assuming office, Obama seems to agree with Broder.

Once again, the generals have captured the hearts and minds of a new administration. Someone should remind the new administration that the president's military oversight role is only one of many, and hardly the major preoccupation, for the president of the United States.

If truth be told, the very title of commander in chief was seldom heard before President George W. Bush assumed office. With a new administration in office, many of us hoped that America would recognize that a military solution is not the most appropriate answer to every problem; that the wisdom of the ages will not be found in the Pentagon; that even as America remains the most powerful military country in the world, it also has resources that go far beyond the ability to wage war.

Our civilian attributes and skills of diplomacy, generosity, respect, honesty, integrity, and morality are the resources which will provide the solutions for today's problems. We had hoped that most Americans would realize the need to shed the fear and knee-jerk military mentality that has gripped us since the shock of 9/11.

America needs to return to normalcy; to lead again by example, to reach consensus with others, to regain and maintain the moral high ground, to put our own house in order and to repair our relationships abroad.

We need to remember that we had a military commander in chief for eight long, disastrous years; we do not need another. We need President Obama to recognize that civilian control of the military in America does not make him the highest ranking member of the military or even a part of the military establishment.

One of his many responsibilities as president of the United States is the kind of civilian control of the military that Harry S. Truman courageously demonstrated 60 years ago when he fired an American hero: a very popular, extremely capable, insubordinate, five-star general.

We need President Obama to recognize that his primary responsibilities are to all of the people of America, and not only, nor even primarily, as "commander in chief" to the military people of America.
--PHILIP B. FREGEAU
--Longmeadow

Civilian volunteers can protect the U.S.
Not long ago, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., declared that the United States (under the Bush administration) had taken its eye off the ball by going into Iraq and not following through on the crux of the initial Afghanistan invasion. The far-reaching tentacles of al-Qaida have given us many balls to keenly watch.

Somalia is one of those hot spots the U.S. cannot ignore. It has been said by intelligence figures that there are 17 hot spots around the globe that bear watching, and Somalia is one.

Al-Qaida has aligned itself with the Al-Shabaab movement, which is backed by Eritrea. Somalia's western-backed government, led by Sheikh Sharif Ahmend, is on the defensive. If the capital of Mogadishu falls, then our adversaries have gained important ground to plot attacks against U.S. interests. The Horn of Africa could be our next battle zone.

With an over-stretched military, it doesn't take an Einstein to ask, "How can we generate enough hard and soft power to meet these challenges?" It only seems logical that our security will depend solely on growing an ever-adapting military and a critical need of civilian talents added to the mix.

Obama's chief-of-staff, Rahm Emanuel, is one of several presently serving in government who believes every American should be committed to serving his or her country through mandatory civil service.
--BILL PAUL
--Chicopee

U.S. Supreme Court doesn't need empathy
So long to the United States Supreme Court motto, "Equal Justice Under Law."

So long to that beautiful statue of Lady Justice, blindfolded to symbolize her pure objectivity. Our new Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor is very proud of her ethnicity and thinks it, as well as her sex, makes her a superior judge to that of a white male.

"I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life."

Can anyone in their wildest dreams imagine Justice Antonin Scalia making the statement that he was better suited to sit on the bench based on his maleness, or his rich Italian heritage? He would be written off, and rightly so, as a crazed racist and narcissist.

President Barack Obama said he was looking for a justice with empathy? Is empathy a qualification for the Supreme Court? Or, is it something as mundane as a competent understanding of the law and the limited role of the judiciary.

Any judge who acts outside the constraints of his or her constitutional mandate violates the oath to uphold the Constitution and is unfit for the bench. What Obama wants is not a jurist. What he wants, and will no doubt get, is a liberal judicial activist who makes law from the bench to satisfy the cravings for power that the radical left cannot achieve through constitutional means. I parent a family of mixed sex and race. Each has the ability to make the most of themselves entirely independent of their race or sex.

Should I worry that my child can only enjoy the full protections of the law when the robed adjudicator behind the bench shares their sex or ethnicity? I would much prefer the sound legal mind of a judge committed to fulfilling his constitutional duties. Someone President Obama seems committed to keep from us." I, [NAME], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as Supreme Court Justice under the Constitution and laws of the United States. So help me God."
--JAMES AYLWARD
--Westfield

Homework House story strikes a note of hope
Last week at Homework House, we celebrated Holyoke schoolchildren. This week, we want to celebrate and thank The Republican and its readers. You help us create the Homework House story as one of hope in troubled times and neighborhoods.

May we tell you just one example? As the economic downturn kept on the course of steep decline at the close of last year, a Tom Shea column about our Raise-the-Roof Raffle to match an Amelia Peabody Foundation Grant put the ticket sales and generous unrelated income on the ascent.

Since then, a new roof was raised, our after-school tutoring program was in the black, asbestos was removed from the building, and raffle winners were thrilled to have cheered the Bruins, Celtics, and Patriots in good seasons.

That is just one instance in which your reporters and readers have inspired, told, and contributed to our story. May we borrow Shakespeare's words and say "thanks, thanks, and forever thanks?"
--Sister MAUREEN BROUGHAN
--Sister JANE MORRISSEY
--Founders and Directors, Homework House Inc.
--Holyoke

Government too fat; cuts need to be made
Every day, we read about cuts to local aid. Has anyone ever thought about cutting government?

Our federal and local governments seem to always save their positions and raises. When are they going to bite the bullet and start cutting jobs? When a business is having trouble financially, it cuts where necessary - jobs, hours, pay, etc.

Our government officials don't. They just raise taxes and cut services, but never do they make concessions. They cut from local jobs (police, firefighters, teachers, etc.), but not theirs.

A recent study shows that a 25-percent sales tax increase is a job killer. We lose 12,000 jobs in the private sector, but save more than 6,000 jobs in state and local government.

Are you surprised that the House voted in favor of the increased tax? Here are a couple of ideas to reduce local government jobs:

Eliminate the state Turnpike Authority and toll workers. We don't have tolls on other Massachusetts roads, and they get maintained.

Eliminate the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Do as California does. License plates stay with the vehicle, and the insurance companies handle the rest. (Sorry, government workers, but someone has to go).

Contact officials with your ideas.
--LINDA JURKOWSKI
--Ware

Sotomayor nomination good choice for court
The nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court is a signal event for Hispanic Americans. It is no less meaningful than an African-American as U.S. president. The GOP is downplaying its coming strong opposition, hoping to find some catch words or concepts with which to label the judge.

Don't be fooled - Republicans will fight Sotomayor's nomination to the last because their litmus test has come up with the wrong political result. Judge Sotomayor's nomination will re-energize many powerful conflicts in American politics and society - and I say "fine."

The right to choose needs to be battled out once again in the full light of day, as are the issues of immigration - both legal and illegal, issues of privacy, minority rights and fairness doctrines.

To my way of thinking, the Supreme Court is the place where the real American experience is defined in light of the U.S. Constitution; recognizing that each member's personal story is inextricably linked to his or her definition and application of law. For those who insist the Constitution is the ultimate, unmoving reference for all future American justice I say "you will be overcome by events - life is contextual."

Write your U.S. senator to support Judge Sotomayor - she is wise, experienced, and a dedicated American.
--DENNIS S. COLLINS
--Springfield

Springfield shines during trade show
On May 19, 20, and 21, the EASTEC Expo was held at the Eastern States Exposition. The event attracted 14,472 attendees from around New England, giving this region a great opportunity to impress business owners.

The area response was exceptional. Springfield's restaurants, bars and restaurants experienced a great level of business. I have been told some of the restaurants and bars had their busiest days in over a year.

The attendees walked our streets, attended functions, visited local night life establishments - and all without incident. The citizens of Springfield have good reason to be pleased and happy with the results of this event.

We should give special thanks to the Springfield Police Department for a job, not just well done, but done exceptionally well. It is the success of these events that may lay the foundation for economic growth in our city and our region.
--MIKE TUCKEY Sr.
--Springfield